'Bad kick' throws Bukayo Saka's World Cup hopes into injury doubt
Bukayo Saka suffered a World Cup injury scare in Arsenal’s thrashing of Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with the winger limping out of the action in the first half after a series of heavy challenges.
Arsenal, England and Saka are now hoping that the injury problem is not a serious one, with Gareth Southgate’s side due to leave for Qatar in just over two weeks.
Saka was on the receiving end of an aggressive challenge in the first minute of Arsenal’s victory over Forest, and was then caught by another forceful tackle later in the first half. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, said the issue was with both his foot and his ankle.
Asked if Saka’s World Cup might be in doubt, Arteta said: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick. Right from the beginning he was limping, but I don’t see any further than that. Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.”
Saka is widely expected to be a major part of Southgate’s squad in Qatar, having emerged as one of England’s most versatile players over the past few seasons.
Saka, as perhaps Arsenal’s most influential attacker, is regularly fouled by opposition defenders and has previously said that he feels like he needs more protection from referees.
Arteta said that issue is for the officials to deal with, preferring instead to talk about his team’s performance as they returned to the top of the league with a 5-0 drubbing of Forest.
Saka’s injury provided a rare opportunity for Reiss Nelson, another graduate of the Arsenal academy, and the 22-year-old seized his chance with two goals and an assist within eight second-half minutes.
“All the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, he is really evolving and he is really maturing,” said Arteta of Nelson. “He is showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity. He did extremely well.”
Nelson was once seen as the jewel of Arsenal’s academy but he has struggled for consistent game-time in the Arsenal first team and spent last season on loan at Feyenoord.
“The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day,” said Arteta when asked how Nelson has changed this season. “He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well.”
